Ascension Island

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to promote accountability and good governance on Ascension Island.

Mark Simmonds: The British Government promotes good governance and accountability in all of the Overseas Territories. Considerable effort continues to be put into encouraging active participation in politics on Ascension Island. In 2011-12, a stipend for councillors was introduced to encourage high calibre candidates, and this year money will be spent on professional training for new councillors. Representatives from the Ascension Island Council are also invited to the annual Joint Ministerial Council hosted in London, where there have been a number of seminars on improving good governance and accountability.

British Indian Ocean Territory

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many civilian permits his Department has issued allowing access to the British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Islands) in each of the last five years.

Mark Simmonds: The British Indian Ocean Territory Administration has issued 25 permits in 2013, 42 permits in 2012, 39 permits in 2011, 106 permits in 2010 and 78 permits in 2009. Permits are issued for yachts in sale passage and for any visitors to the territory.
	In accordance with our legislation, contractor personnel are deemed to be in possession of a permit if their name is included in a list which is accepted by the principal immigration officer.

Burma

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why Burma has not been included in his Department's Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative.

Hugo Swire: The Government regularly lobbies the Burmese Government on the rights of women, particularly on preventing sexual violence against women in conflict areas. Through international non-governmental organisations, the UK gives support to legal assistance centres in Burmese refugee camps in Thailand and to trauma care in camps in Kachin State in Burma, both of which deal with rape cases. We also work closely with the UN in Rakhine State to strengthen work to prevent and respond to sexual violence there.
	The Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) has identified countries, in consultation with the UN and other partners, where the UK Team of Experts can add most value. In January 2013, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), announced initial deployments to countries including Bosnia, Libya. South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and to the Syria Border. A number of other countries are now engaging in PSVI at both a practical and political level, taking into account existing national and international efforts. Over the summer, the British embassy in Rangoon will be scoping options to expand the initiative to Burma.

Burma

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether Ministers in his Department who recently met the Burmese Immigration Minister, Khin Yi, raised with him his investigation into the citizenship of Rohingya MP Shwe Maung.

Hugo Swire: The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague) and-my Noble Friend Baroness Warsi met Aung Min, Minister for the Burmese President's office, and Khin Yi, Minister for Rakhme State, in meetings on 15 and 16 April. The circumstances of specific individuals were not discussed. However, Ministers made clear our concerns about the need for the urgent coordination of humanitarian aid to Rakhine State and a resolution to the Rohingya's citizenship status which is consistent with helping the Rohingya achieve their human rights.
	British officials in Rangoon, as well as visiting UK Ministers, are in regular and close contact with leaders of the Rohingya community in Burma.

Colombia

Kerry McCarthy: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he plans to discuss (a) the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative, (b) the assistance the UK team of experts could offer to Colombia on this issue and (c) the involvement of women in all stages of the peace process with the President of Colombia during his visit to the UK.

Hugo Swire: We look forward to welcoming President Santos to the United Kingdom. Following the successful G8 Foreign Ministers' discussion of the issue, the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), is determined to develop further the Initiative and build an even broader coalition of countries demanding an end to sexual violence in conflict. Colombia's recent experience is invaluable in this regard.
	I met Constitutional Court Judge Luis Ernesto Vargas Silva in April and discussed with him the issue of sexual violence in Colombia. Members of the Commission for Peace of the Colombian Congress have recently requested advice from the UK Team of Experts in ensuring sexual violence is incorporated in their peace and reconciliation processes. We are currently considering that request. In the meantime, officials are looking into how the Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI) objectives can be incorporated into our existing human rights work in Colombia.
	In 2012, President Santos launched Colombia's National Public Policy for Gender Equality. The British Government will provide support to the Colombian Government to promote women's rights and address discrimination wherever possible.

Iceland

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reports he has received on the formation of a new gove0rnment in Iceland, and its announcement that it has terminated the accession process of Iceland to the EU; what assessment he has made of the implications of these developments for UK foreign policy; and if he will make a statement.

David Lidington: The Government has followed with interest, the formation of Iceland's new governing coalition between the Progressive and Independence parties, and maintains regular contact with the Icelandic Government in particular through our embassy in Reykjavik. The new Government has announced that Iceland's EU accession negotiations, which the previous Government put on hold ahead of the 27 April elections, will remain suspended until an assessment of the process has been discussed in the Icelandic parliament and any decision to recommence put to a public referendum.
	The UK will continue to engage positively with Iceland, to further strengthen our good bilateral relationship.

India

Lyn Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions the Government has had with the Indian government regarding the trial of Professor Devinder Pal Singh Bhullar.

Hugo Swire: I raised Mr Bhullar's case when I met the Indian High Commissioner, Dr J. Bhagwati, on 30 April. The British high commission in New Delhi has in parallel raised this issue with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs. The UK will continue to monitor this case closely, as we will in all cases where the death penalty has been given as a sentence.

Kenya

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the potential effect on bilateral relations with Kenya of the result of the Kenyan presidential election.

Mark Simmonds: The UK and Kenya have a substantial shared agenda, which includes regional security, prosperity, and development. The appointment of a new Kenyan Government committed to upholding its international obligations provide an opportunity to work together to build on this agenda.

Middle East

Richard Burden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  what recent reports he has received on progress on transferring planning control for the west bank from the Israeli Government to the Palestinian authority as agreed under the Oslo accords;
	(2)  what recent representations he has made to the Israeli Government on the transfer of planning control of the west bank to the Palestinian Authority.

Alistair Burt: The British Government regularly raises concerns regarding the Israeli building and planning regime in Area C with the Israeli Government, including during recent visits by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and the National Security Adviser, and during meetings between UK officials and the Israeli NSC in March and April 2013. The UK has also called publicly on Israel to take steps towards the transfer of authority over Area C to the Palestinian Authority, including at the UN Ad Hoc Liaison Committee (AHLC) in New York in September 2012.
	Palestinian development in Area C is essential for a sustainable Palestinian economy, yet only 1% of Area C is zoned for Palestinian construction. The UK will therefore continue to press Israel to ease the current restrictive permitting regime and to transfer control of Area C to the PA as per the Oslo accords.

Peru

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Peruvian government about criminal charges being brought against (a) indigenous people protesting against the acquisition of their land and (b) indigenous leaders in the Curva del Diablo case.

Hugo Swire: The British embassy in Lima is in regular dialogue with the Peruvian Government on human rights issues, including indigenous rights.
	With regards to the indigenous leaders in the Curva del Diablo case, we understand this matter is currently before the Peruvian courts. It would be inappropriate for the UK to make representations in this on-going judicial proceeding. Our embassy will monitor this case as it progresses through the Peruvian justice system.

Thailand

Paul Blomfield: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the Government has raised with the government of Thailand the possible jailing of British citizen Andy Hall due to his activities protecting migrant workers in Thailand.

Hugo Swire: On 5 May 2013; staff at our embassy in Bangkok raised with the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs the importance of Mr Hall receiving an independent trial in Thailand. On 20 May 2013, during my visit to Thailand, I raised this case with Thailand's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs. Embassy officials in Bangkok will continue to monitor the case and raise it with the Thai authorities where appropriate.

Animal Experiments

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will assess whether the risk-based inspection programme utilised by the Animals in Science Regulation Unit is fit-for-purpose; and if she will make a statement.

James Brokenshire: The risk-based inspection programme utilised by the Animals in Science Regulation Unit is kept under regular review. We believe it is fit for purpose.
	The risk status for each establishment is reviewed after every inspection visit noting whether there has been any significant change in their compliance with the requirements of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. The three possible outcomes—increased, decreased or unchanged risk profile—are considered along with any recommended changes to control measures; to the frequency of inspections; or to particular aspects of work at that establishment. Inspectors regularly discuss the risk profile with key individuals at the establishment, particularly the establishment licence holder. Inspectors also provide advice to those working under the 1986 Act and encourage best practice with respect to the 3Rs, replacement, refinement and reduction of the use of animals.

Immigrants: Detainees

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many applications for bail were made by people held in immigration detention in each of the last five years.

Mark Harper: holding answer 3 June 2013
	We are only able to provide data on the number of applications for bail made by people held in immigration detention between January 2010 and December 2012.
	This data is shown in the following table. To provide data prior to January 2010 would incur disproportionate cost.
	
		
			 Table 1: Bail applications made while in immigration detention, 2010 to 2012 
			  Total 
			 2010 3,087 
			 2011 3,210 
			 2012 3,526 
			 Notes: 1. All figures quoted are management information which has been subject to internal quality checks. This information has not been quality assured under National Statistics protocols. 2. Figures relate to cases where the bail application was made in the same period of detention. 3. Data relate to main applicants and dependants.

Roads: Accidents

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if she will take steps to include road traffic accident locations in the publication of crime maps.

Damian Green: Data on road traffic collisions is recorded by police forces and collected centrally by the Department for Transport (DFT).
	DFT make the data publicly available through data.gov.uk; the full 2012 dataset will be available at the end of June 2013.
	Developers and third party users can use this data to create their own online maps, apps and websites and some of these have already been created and are available on data.gov.uk/apps. For this reason, there are no plans to publish on police.uk.

Surveillance

Nick de Bois: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  which public authorities have requested access to communications data and had their request (a) granted and (b) refused in each of the last three years for which figures are available;
	(2)  which public authorities have presented a case justifying their acquisition of communications data which have been subsequently considered insufficient by her Department in each of the last three years for which figures are available.

James Brokenshire: In order to be able to have access to communications data a public authority must be designated by an Order made under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. The last occasion on which such an Order was approved by Parliament was the Regulation of Investigatory Powers (Communications Data) Order 2010.
	More recently, the Government has asked all those bodies that presently have access to communications data to submit a case for continued access, in the context of developing our proposals for the investigation of crime in cyberspace. Ministers are considering these cases.

Tickets: Fraud

Christopher Pincher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps she is taking to tackle the fraudulent sales of online tickets to concerts and sporting events.

James Brokenshire: The report, produced by Operation Podium, on tackling ticket crime during the London Olympics has made a considerable contribution to the understanding of the ways in which this crime is perpetrated and can be addressed. The Government is currently considering how the lessons learned from this major event can be used to further strengthen the work on tackling ticket fraud more generally.

Organised Crime

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment she has made of co-operation between the UK and Irish governments on tackling organised crime.

Michael Penning: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer given earlier to the hon. Member for Paisley and Renfrewshire North (Jim Sheridan).

Administration of Justice

Priti Patel: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what recent assessment he has made of the level of public understanding of the legal framework around courts and sentencing.

Helen Grant: The Government is committed to bringing about greater understanding of sentencing. Recently we brought in changes, as part of the LASPO Act, stating that courts must explain, in ordinary language, the reasons why certain sentences are given.
	The Ministry of Justice launched the ‘You be the Judge’ website in March 2010. The website gives the opportunity for members of public to put themselves in the judging seat, and pass sentence in eight different scenarios including burglary, murder and vandalism among others.
	On 24 May 2013, the Ministry of Justice published a report, commissioned in early 2013, which analysed the 74,000 complete user experiences of ‘You be the Judge’ to look at the sentences passed by the public and how their views changed. The main findings show that more than 80% of the public would give criminals a sentence that is more lenient or the same as a judge when presented with the full facts of a crime. Also more than two-thirds (69%) of users who started their experience with the view that sentencing was ‘too lenient’, ended the process with the view that it was ‘right’.

Human Trafficking: Compensation

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Justice what (a) written and (b) oral advice his Department gives to those who have experienced human trafficking on the right to compensation.

Helen Grant: Since 1 July 2011, The Salvation Army has been contracted to oversee and co-ordinate the provision of support and assistance to adult victims of trafficking who have been referred through the National Referral Mechanism.
	When they enter the service provided by The Salvation Army, victims will be informed in a language they understand of their right to submit an application for an award under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme. They may also be advised of their right to pursue a claim for damages in the civil courts.
	The Government has recently issued a leaflet which offers help and advice for people who think they may be victims of trafficking. The document explains to victims that they can obtain advice from their legal adviser or from a Citizen's Advice Bureau about any compensation they may be able to claim.

NHS: Conditions of Employment

Penny Mordaunt: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department will consider establishing a dedicated workstream under the Quality, Innovation, Productivity and Prevention programme aimed at improving staff health and wellbeing; and if he will make a statement.

Daniel Poulter: Responsibility for Quality, Innovation, Productivity and has passed to NHS England. National health service organisations, who are responsible for the health and well-being of their staff, continue to be supported by NHS Employers through a programme of work monitored under its contract with the Department. This programme includes: the identification, production, promotion and mobilisation of good practice; supporting over 100 trusts to develop improvement plans for reducing sickness absence and improving staff health and well-being; developing performance in parts of the NHS with particular challenges (e.g. mental health trusts), supporting the development of occupational health services and developing good practice guidance for staff engagement.

Fracking

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change when he plans to publish proposals to ensure that local communities benefit from shale gas projects.

Michael Fallon: As we committed in the Budget, the government will develop proposals by summer 2013 to ensure that local communities will benefit from shale gas projects in their area.

Local Government: Energy

Luciana Berger: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what assessment his Department has made of compliance by local authorities with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

Don Foster: There is no specific requirement on DCLG to assess local authority compliance with the requirements of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Where data is available DCLG assesses overall compliance with the directive using information that is easily accessible and which ensures minimal cost to the taxpayer.

Buildings

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what the locations are of the offices and premises of (a) his Department and (b) the agencies for which he is responsible in each region.

Jo Swinson: The following table shows the locations of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, offices and premises in each region.
	
		
			 BIS Office Location Region 
			 1 Victoria Street London London 
			 St Pauls Place Sheffield South Yorkshire 
			 Alexandra House Leeds West Yorkshire 
			 Apex Court Nottingham East Midlands 
			 Arndale Tower Manchester North West 
			 The Axis—Birmingham Birmingham West Midlands 
			 Bridge House Guildford South East 
			 Cannon House Birmingham West Midlands 
			 Castle View House Runcorn North West 
			 Companies House Cardiff Wales 
			 Europa House Glasgow Scotland 
			 Exchange House London London 
			 IOS Manchester Manchester North West 
			 Larkhill Wiltshire South West 
			 Moongate House Gateshead North East 
			 Mowden Hall Darlington North East 
			 NTI Building Birmingham West Midlands 
			 Queensway House Billingham North East 
			 Stanley Barracks Dorset South West 
			 Stella House Newcastle North East 
			 Temple Quays Bristol South West 
			 Warrington Warrington North West 
			 Victoria House London London 
			 Westfield House London London 
		
	
	I have asked chief executives of the executive agencies to respond directly to the Hon Member.
	Letter from Tim Moss, dated 22 May 2013
	I am replying on behalf of Companies House to your Parliamentary Question tabled 21 May 2013, to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, UIN 157473.
	Companies House has four offices in the UK and the locations of each are given below.
	Companies House
	Crown Way
	Cardiff
	CF14 3UZ
	Companies House
	4 Abbey Orchard Street
	London
	SWIH2PT
	Companies House
	4(th) Floor
	Edinburgh Quay 2
	139 Fountainbridge
	Edinburgh
	EH3 9FF
	Companies House
	2(nd) Floor
	The Linenhall
	32-38 Linenhall Street
	Belfast
	BT2 8BG
	Letter from Dr Richard Judge, dated 24 May 2013
	The Secretary of State for the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has asked me to reply to your question, what the locations are of the offices and premises of (a) his Department and (b) the agencies for which he is responsible in each region.
	The locations of the offices/premises of the Insolvency Service are shown below, using the Office of National Statistics' definition of regions:
	
		
			  Region Insolvency Service Office Location 
			 1. East Midlands Leicester 
			 2.  Northampton 
			 3.  Nottingham 
			    
			 4. East of England Watford 
			 5.  Cambridge 
			 6.  Ipswich 
			 7.  Norwich 
			 8.  Southend 
			 9.  St Albans 
			    
			 10. London Abbey Orchard St 
			 11.  Croydon 
			    
			 12. North East Newcastle 
			 13.  Stockton 
			    
			 14. North West Blackpool 
			 15.  Chester 
			 16.  Liverpool 
			 17.  Manchester 
			    
			 18. Scotland Edinburgh 
			    
			 19. South East Brighton 
			 20.  Canterbury/Whitstable 
			 21.  Medway 
			 22.  Reading 
			 23.  Southampton 
			    
			 24. South West Bournemouth 
			 25.  Bristol 
			 26.  Exeter 
			 27.  Gloucester 
		
	
	
		
			 28.  Plymouth 
			    
			 29. Wales Cardiff 
			 30.  Swansea 
			    
			 31. West Midlands Birmingham Cannon House 
			 32.  Birmingham Cobalt Square 
			 33.  Stoke-on-Trent 
			    
			 34. Yorkshire and the Humber Hull 
			 35.  Leeds 
			 36.  Sheffield 
		
	
	Letter from John Alty
	I am responding in respect of the Intellectual Property Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled 21st May 2013, to the Secretary of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	The Intellectual Property Office (Executive Agency of BIS) has three premises:
	Headquarters: Concept House, Newport, South Wales (freehold)
	Filestore: Unit 6, Nine Mile Point Industrial Estate, Cwmfelinfach, South Wales (leased)
	London Office: 1st floor, Abbey Orchard Street, London (leased)
	Letter from Peter Mason, dated 22 May 2013
	I am responding in respect of the National Measurement Office (NMO), an executive agency of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 21 May 2013, asking the BIS Secretary of State about the location of the offices and premises of BIS and its agencies.
	The location of NMO's offices and premises is at Stanton Avenue, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 OJZ, United Kingdom.
	Letter from Kim Thorneywork, dated 29 May 2013
	Further to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the locations are of the offices and premises of (a) his Department and (b) the agencies for which he is responsible in each region. (157473)
	For question (b) the Skills Funding Agency currently has offices and premises in the following locations:
	Birmingham, Bristol, Chatham, Coventry, Fareham, Gateshead, Histon, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Plymouth, Reading, Sheffield.
	Letter from Dr Vanessa Lawrence CB, dated 24 May 2013
	As Director General and Chief Executive of Ordnance Survey, I have been asked to respond to your Parliamentary Question asking the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, "what the locations are of the offices and premises of (a) his Department and (b) the agencies for which he is responsible in each region".
	The full list of Ordnance Survey's office locations by region is as follows:
	
		
			 Region Location 
			 East Midlands Nottingham 
			  Kettering 
			   
			 East of England Cambridge 
			  Chelmsford 
			  Norwich 
		
	
	
		
			   
			 London London SW1 
			   
			 North East Durham 
			   
			 North West St Helens 
			   
			 Scotland Edinburgh 
			  Inverness 
			   
			 South East Folkestone 
			  Southampton 
			   
			 South West Barnstaple 
			  Bristol 
			  Exeter 
			  Poole 
			  Truro 
			   
			 Wales Llandrindod Wells 
			   
			 West Midlands Keele 
			  Worcester 
			   
			 Yorkshire and Humberside Hull 
			  Rotherham 
		
	
	The majority of Ordnance Survey staff are based at our head office in Southampton. The regional offices support our data collection activity.
	I hope this information is helpful.
	Letter from David parker, dated 22 May 2013
	Thank you for your question addressed to the Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills asking what the locations are of the offices and premises of (a) his Department and (b) the agencies for which he is responsible in each region.
	The UK Space Agency is an Executive Agency of the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. The locations of its offices and premises are Polaris House, Swindon, One Victoria Street, London and the Electron Building, Harwell.
	Letter from John Hirst, dated 23 May 2013
	I am replying on behalf of the Met Office to your Parliamentary Question tabled on 21 May 2013, UIN 157473, to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.
	The Met Office's headquarters is in Exeter and it is here that most of our staff are based, along with our main IT infrastructure, Operations Centre and National Meteorological Library.
	We also have a forecast office in Aberdeen that provides operational resilience to Exeter and delivers critical marine services across the UK and around the world.
	The Radiological Incident Management Network (RIMNET) is operated from London, on behalf of DECC.
	Smaller shared offices in Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff provide for a range of functions including delivery of the Public Weather Service, observations quality control and customer management.
	The Met Office also has staff operating across the UK at observation sites and in third party premises, for example forecasters at a number of defence bases, researchers with university departments and within customer organisations, including the BBC.
	Letter from Paul Hemsley, dated 28 May 2013
	I write on behalf of Land Registry in response to Parliamentary Question 157473 tabled on 21 May 2013 which asked the following:
	To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, what the locations are of the offices and premises of (a) his Department and (b) the agencies for which he is responsible in each region.
	The tables give the data requested.
	I hope you find this information useful.
	
		
			 Land Registry buildings occupied by Land Registry staff 
			 Office Building Name Building Address Post code Region 
			 Nottingham Castle Wharf House Castle Wharf House, Nottingham Nottinghamshire NG1 7AU East Midlands 
			 Birkenhead Rosebrae Court Rosebrae Ct, Woodside Ferry Approach, Birkenhead. CH41 6DU North West 
			 Coventry Leigh Court Leigh Court, Torrington Avenue, Tile Hill, Coventry CV4 9XZ West Midlands 
			 Croydon Trafalgar House Trafalgar House, 1 Bedford Park, Croydon CRO 2AQ South East 
			 Durham Southfield House Southfield House, Southfield Way, Durham DH1 5TR North East 
			 Fylde Wrea Brook Court Wrea Brook Court, Lytham Road, Warton, Preston PR4 1TE North West 
			 Gloucester Twyver House Twyver House, Brunton Way, Gloucester GL1 1DQ South West 
			 Hull Earle House Earle House, Portland Street, Hull HU2 8JN North East 
			 Plymouth Seaton Court Seaton Court, 2 William Prance Road, Plymouth International Business Park, Plymouth PL6 5WS South West 
			 Leicester Westbridge Place Westbridge Place, Duns Lane, Leicester LE3 5DR East Midlands 
			 Peterborough Stuart House Zone 1, Stuart House, City Road, Peterborough PE1 1QF East Midlands 
			 Telford Parkside Court Parkside Court, Hall Park Way, Telford TF3 4LR West Midlands 
		
	
	
		
			 Swansea TyCwm Tawe Ty Cwm Tawe, Phoenix Way, Llansamlet, Swansea SA7 9FQ North Wales 
			 Swansea Pennard House Pennard House, Phoenix Way, Llansamlet, Swansea SA7 9ZZ North Wales 
			 Weymouth Melcombe Court 1 Cumberland Drive, Weymouth, Dorset DT4 9TB South West 
		
	
	
		
			 Land Registry buildings not occupied by Land Registry staff 
			 Office Building Name Building Address Post code Region Comment 
			 York James House James House, James Street, York YO1 3YZ North Yorkshire No longer a Land Registry occupied building and is surplus to requirements. 
			 Birkenhead Old Market House Old Market House, Hamilton Street, Birkenhead CH41 5AL North West Fully occupied by another Government Department. 
			 Stevenage Brickdale House Brickdale House, Swingate, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 1XG South East Surplus to requirements and on market for disposal. 
			 Plymouth Drakes Hill Court Drakes Hill Court Burrington Way, Plymouth PL5 3LP South West Surplus to requirements and sale progressing. 
			 Nottingham Chalfont Drive Chalfont Drive, Nottingham NG8 3RN East Midlands Sale is progressing for redevelopment as housing.

Construction: Vetting

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what discussions (a) he and (b) Ministers in his Department have had with (i) individuals and (ii) organisations on the subject of the blacklisting of construction workers.

Jo Swinson: There have been two discussions with individuals or organisations about blacklisting of construction workers (we have assumed that the reference to individuals means members of the public).
	I had a telephone conversation with the Information Commissioner in January 2013 about progress being made to contact individuals on the Consulting Association's blacklist.
	The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), met the Information Commissioner on 2 April 2013. At this meeting, the Information Commissioner provided an update on progress made to contact individuals named on the Consulting Association's blacklist. The Information Commissioner also reassured the Secretary of State that he would investigate thoroughly any evidence that blacklisting is ongoing, using the additional powers of enforcement he has been given since 2010. To date, we have received no evidence that blacklisting is ongoing, though Ministers are keen to encourage individuals to come forward with any new evidence.

Construction: Vetting

Ian Austin: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills what steps he has taken to ensure that the blacklisting of construction workers does not take place.

Jo Swinson: Blacklisting is an abhorrent practice. That is why, in response to the findings of the investigation by the Information Commissioner's Office into the Consulting Association, and subsequent consultation, the Government legislated in 2010 to prohibit the use of blacklists. The Employment Relations Act 1999 (Blacklists) Regulations 2010 make it unlawful, subject to certain exemptions, to compile, use, sell or supply 'prohibited lists', ie a blacklist. Individuals who believe they are being excluded from employment because of a blacklist should seek redress in county courts in England and Wales, or Court of Session in Scotland. Other rights under the regulations can be enforced in employment tribunals.
	The creation, supply or use of a blacklist is also likely to amount to a breach of the Data Protection Act 1998 as information about the individual's membership of a trade union is sensitive personal data. The Information Commissioner has the power, increased in 2010, to impose fines, up to £500,000 for serious breaches, on data controllers who unlawfully process data. This can include not only the individual or company that created the blacklist, but any employer or agency using it for employment vetting.
	It is also unlawful under the Trade Union and Labour Relations Act 1992 to refuse to employ a person because they are a member or not a member of a trade union, or because they refuse to join or leave a trade union. It is equally unlawful for an agency to refuse employment services on those grounds. An individual can bring an employment tribunal claim within three months of the offence taking place, or longer if the tribunal decides it was not reasonably practicable to bring the claim in time.
	To date, we have received no evidence that blacklisting is ongoing, though Ministers are keen to encourage individuals to come forward with any new evidence. The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, my right hon. Friend the Member for Twickenham (Vince Cable), met the Information Commissioner on 2 April 2013 to discuss how any new evidence would be handled.

Directors

Chuka Umunna: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills on which occasions his Department's external non-executive directors have met since May 2010.

Jo Swinson: The Department's non-executive directors have met at board meetings on 25 June 2010, 22 July 2010, 30 September 2010, 25 November 2010, 27 January 2011, 31 March 2011, 17 May 2011, 24 May 2011, 19 July 2011, 29 November 2011, 24 January 2012, 29 February 2012, 17 April 2012, 25 June 2012, 28 June 2012, 18 September 2012, 22 November 2012, 21 January 2013, 11 February 2013, 15 April 2013, 18 April 2013.

Royal Mail

Dan Rogerson: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills whether prospective purchasers of Royal Mail will be permitted to divest the business of the Postcode Address File.

Michael Fallon: The Government does not intend to place any specific restrictions on a future owner of Royal Mail with regards to its assets.
	A decision by Royal Mail to sell any of its assets would need to meet the directors' duty to act in the best interests of the company.

Banks

Paul Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to bring forward proposals to place a requirement on retail banks to implement a duty of care to customers when offering financial products for sale.

Sajid Javid: The Government has no plans to bring in a duty of care for retail banks when offering financial products for sale. A duty of care would not give retail banks a clear view of the conduct that is 'expected of them or add anything to regulatory or other legal requirements that already apply relating to the sale of financial products.

Child Trust Fund

Cathy Jamieson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what progress has been made on consultation regarding options to transfer savings held in child trust funds into Junior ISAs; and if he will make a statement.

Sajid Javid: The consultation on allowing the transfer of savings from child trust funds to Junior ISAs was published on 14 May and will close on 6 August.
	The consultation looks at whether transfers should be allowed and asks if so, then on what basis.
	The Government proposes that voluntary transfers from child trust funds to Junior ISAs should be allowed if requested by the registered contact for an account, but also asks for opinions on any alternative proposals.

Burma

Naomi Long: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what funding the Government has provided to Burma to promote religious tolerence and multi-faith initiatives.

Hugo Swire: I have been asked to reply 
	on behalf the Department for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs.
	The Government, through the British embassy, is helping fund an inter-faith project delivered by a local non-government organisation. £9,908 has been allocated for this work which aims to raise awareness of inter-faith peace building concepts among young people to encourage reconciliation between communities, The Department for International Development does not have any specific programmes which promote inter-faith and religious tolerance in Burma, but is working with a range of partners, including faith-based organisations, to support peace and reconciliation in Burma.
	More generally, the British Government continues to call on the Burmese authorities to sign up to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which includes commitments on protecting religious freedoms. The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and I raised this issue with the Burmese Foreign Minister during his visit to the UK in February.

Developing Countries: Tuberculosis

Julian Huppert: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps her Department has taken to encourage industrial development of (a) diagnostics, (b) drugs and (c) vaccines for tuberculosis; and what assessment she has made of the effect new technologies would have on rates of the disease.

Lynne Featherstone: The UK Government has invested in research and development of new diagnostics, drugs and vaccines for tuberculosis (TB) supporting a number of public private product development partnerships (PDPs). PDPs bring together public and private industrial partners to work together to develop new technologies.
	It has been estimated that rapid diagnosis, and subsequent appropriate treatment, of TB can save half a million lives each year. New diagnostic tests have speeded up initiating treatment from months to hours. New, faster-acting, effective drugs which are easier to take, can reduce treatment times from six to four months for drug sensitive TB and from over 18 months down to four months for drug resistant TB. Shorter treatment regimens result in increased adherence and help prevent the development of further drug resistance. It has been estimated that a new, effective TB vaccine could reduce TB deaths by over 40% by 2029.

Government Departments: Marketing

Ben Bradshaw: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office how much each Government department spent on advertising and marketing in each year between 2009 and 2013; and what assessment the Government has made of the effect of that spending.

Francis Maude: My Department's Efficiency and Reform group recently announced that they had helped Departments make savings of £378 million in 2012-13 from spend on proactive communications, including marketing and advertising, compared with a 2009-10 baseline. These savings are part of our wide-ranging approach aimed at driving out waste from Whitehall. Had this programme begun at the Administration of which the right hon. Member was a part millions of pounds more could have been saved.
	It is for Departments and arm's length bodies to monitor and report on the effectiveness of their spend on advertising and marketing. The Cabinet Office has issued best practice evaluation guidance and our Capability Review Programme is helping identify areas of strength and areas where improvement is needed within department communication functions.

Armed Forces: Offences Against Children

Madeleine Moon: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence with reference to the answers of 10 April 2013, Official Report, column 1128W and 10 April 2013, Official Report, column 1129W, on armed forces: sexual offences, how many allegations made (a) by and (b) against service personnel were referred to local authorities for investigation under child protection legislation; which local authorities were notified; and if he will make a statement.

Andrew Robathan: The Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, my right hon. Friend the Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mr Francois), will write to the hon. Member shortly.
	Substantive answer from Mark Francois to Madeleine Moon:
	In his response to your Parliamentary Question of 20 May (Official Report, column 490w) the Minister of State for the Armed Forces, my right hon. Friend the Member for South Leicestershire (Mr Robathan) promised that I would write to you.
	When you received the original response, officials were examining the question to see if the information was held and retrievable. It is now apparent that the information that you have requested is not held centrally and could only be provided at disproportionate cost. Any direct engagement with local authorities would normally be recorded in an investigation case file diary. These documents would have to be retrieved and examined manually. However, for the reasons described below, they may not contain the information you seek.
	Policies in place, for both the UK and overseas, give direction and guidance to the Service Police and the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) in cases of this sensitive nature. The provisions of section 46 of the Children Act 1989 (police protection) and sections 11 and 28 of the Children Act 2004 (safeguarding and promoting welfare in England and Wales) do not apply, as a matter of law, to the Service Police. However Service Police investigative doctrine follows the spirit of the legislation, and makes it clear that when a child is identified as being at risk, the appropriate authorities should be informed.
	In Germany and elsewhere overseas, Service Police investigators are able to draw on the expertise of the Joint Response Team (JRT) if required. The JRT is a specialist Royal Military Police capability for investigating offences involving children and vulnerable witnesses and it works hand-in-hand with Social Services and other organisations to ensure a multi-agency level of support afforded to victims and their families. In the UK, local authorities are informed via Home Office Police Forces (HOPF), which have direct and routine access to Local Safeguarding Children Boards. This type of engagement takes place as a matter of routine and is referred to in Home Office Circular 028/2008 (a protocol set up in 2008 between the HOPF and the MDP & Service Police). In practice, this means that the more serious the offence, the greater the likelihood is that jurisdiction will be retained by the civilian force.
	The MDP are unable to establish from their crime recording system whether the offences that they have recorded had been referred to the Child Protection Units of HOPF. However, in accordance with Home Office Circular 028/2008 - where a child is a victim of abuse of any kind, this would be reported to the local HOPF for referral to their Child Protection Unit, again effectively handing the case across to the HOPF.
	I am confident that this policy is applied diligently by our police forces.

Armed Forces: Recruitment

Alex Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what steps his Department takes to ensure that armed forces recruitment accords with Article 38 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child by giving priority to potential adult recruits over those who are not yet 18 years of age.

Andrew Murrison: I refer the hon. Member to the answer given by the Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans, my right hon. Friend the Member for Rayleigh and Wickford (Mr Francois), on 13 May 2013, Official Report, column 98W, to the hon. Member for Kilmarnock and Loudoun (Cathy Jamieson).

Travel

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what his Department's budget for ministerial travel for (a) the Government Car Service, (b) private hire vehicles, (c) taxis, (d) rail, (e) aviation and (f) other is for (i) 2013-14, (ii) 2014-15 and (iii) 2015-16.

Mark Francois: The Ministry of Defence does not set a specific budget for ministerial travel. All Defence Ministers must travel in the most cost-effective way possible; for example, they do not travel first class by air.
	The Defence Ministers do not use the Government Car Service. For security reasons, the Metropolitan Police Service provide a car for the Secretary of State for Defence, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond). The Junior Defence Ministers share a central car pool with other senior departmental staff working in the Ministry of Defence main building.

High Speed Two

Maria Eagle: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many members of staff are employed at HS2 Ltd, by salary bands of £10,000.

Simon Burns: The number of staff employed by HS2 Ltd on salary bands of £10,000 is shown in the following table:
	
		
			 Salary band Number of staff(1) 
			 £0 to £10,000 2 
			 £10,001 to £20,000 4 
			 £20,001 to £30,000 55 
			 £30,001 to £40,000 63 
		
	
	
		
			 £40,001 to £50,000 38 
			 £50,001 to £60,000 21 
			 £60,001 to £70,000 10 
			 £70,001 to £80,000 4 
			 £80,001 to £90,000 4 
			 £90,001 to £100,000 1 
			 £100,001 to £110,000 1 
			 £110,001 to £120,000 1 
			 £120,001 to £130,000 0 
			 £130,001 to £140,000 0 
			 £140,001 to £150,000 0 
			 £150,001 to £160,000 0 
			 £160,001 to £170,000 1 
			 £170,001 to £180,000 1 
			 (1) Effective as of 30 April 2013

M6: Heysham

David Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what progress has been made on the M6 Heysham Link; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what steps the Government is taking to ensure maximum economic benefit from the M6 Heysham Link.

Simon Burns: On 19 March 2013 the Secretary of State for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Derbyshire Dales (Mr McLoughlin), made an order under the Planning Act 2008 granting Lancashire County Council development consent for completion of the M6 to Heysham Link Road. On 29 April, ‘Transport Solutions for Lancaster and Morecambe’ applied to the High Court for permission to proceed with a claim for judicial review and asked the Court to quash the order on the grounds that the Secretary of State had acted unlawfully. The Secretary of State is defending the claim.
	If the High Court upholds the decision to make the order, it would then be for the County Council, as promoter of the scheme, in conjunction with the relevant district councils and local business groups, to secure maximum economic benefit from its construction and operation.

Midland Main Railway Line

Andrew Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the benefit-cost ratio was in the business case for the electrification project of the Midland Mainline between Sheffield and Bedford.

Simon Burns: The Government has committed to funding electrification of the Midland Main Line which will deliver cleaner, greener and faster trains between London, Corby, Nottingham and Sheffield. Electrification of this route has a sufficiently strong case that there is no net cost to Government. It will boost economic growth, improve connectivity and reduce the cost of running the railway to the Department. Where a scheme leads to a saving to Government overtime, the BCR is a potentially misleading indicator, and the Department does not use them in these circumstances. Instead such a scheme is described as 'financially positive' and would usually be expected to represent 'high' value for money.

Electoral Register: Fraud

Chris Ruane: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many successful prosecutions for electoral registration fraud there were in each region in each of the last four years.

Chloe Smith: The Government do not collect or hold this data, but these statistics can be found in the Electoral Commission's Report 'Analysis of cases of alleged electoral fraud' at:
	http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/155336/Analysis-of-cases-of-alleged-electoral-fraud-in-2012.pdf

Housing Benefit: Social Rented Housing

Harriet Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what the minimum floor space is that can constitute a bedroom for the purposes of the under-occupancy charge;
	(2)  whether a minimum floor space applies to a bedroom for the purposes of the under occupancy penalty.

Steve Webb: The removal of the spare room subsidy does not apply a minimum floor space for bedrooms. It takes account of the number of bedrooms, as designated by the landlord, and compares this with the composition of the household to establish whether or not a reduction due to under-occupation applies.

Members: Correspondence

Toby Perkins: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to send a substantive response to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Chesterfield of 24 October 2012 on behalf of a constituent, C J Howells.

Mark Hoban: I replied to the hon. Member on 31 October 2012.

Members: Correspondence

Gerald Kaufman: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when he plans to reply to the letter to him dated 22 April 2013 from the right hon. Member for Manchester, Gorton with regard to Miss Emma Figueira.

Mark Hoban: The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my right hon. Friend the Member for Chingford and Woodford Green (Mr Duncan Smith), replied to the right hon. Member on 4 June 2013.

Sign Language

Simon Kirby: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department is taking to ensure the services it offers are accessible to British Sign Language users.

Mark Hoban: The Equality Act 2010 places a duty on DWP to provide services that are accessible, available and appropriate to all claimants and customers. DWP takes seriously its duties under this Act to provide and makes available reasonable adjustments to all claimants and customers who have specific communication needs. DWP has in place framework agreements to provide British Sign Language (BSL) or other communicator support to those customers who need it. Guidance on how to access this support is available to DWP staff via the internal intranet. Alternatively customers may bring their own interpreter, who, if professionally qualified, can be reimbursed with reasonable travel costs. They may also appoint a representative or intermediary to help them communicate with us.

State Retirement Pensions

Gregg McClymont: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the level of pension that will be paid to those reaching state pension age in 2016-17 who will no longer be able to claim a pension based on their partner's contribution.

Steve Webb: People reaching state pension age in 2016-17 will be paid a pension based on their own national insurance record. “The single-tier pension: a simple foundation for saving” sets out how people's single-tier pension amounts will be calculated.
	The Department projects that the median state pension paid to individuals in their own right under the single tier in 2020, who would have claimed a pension based on their partners national insurance record under the current system, will be around £70 per week (in 2013/14 earnings terms). This is based on assumptions around the starting level of single tier and uprating as set out in the white paper with an implementation date of April 2016.
	Some of these individuals would be eligible for guarantee credit were the current arrangements to remain in place and so they may see no change in their overall income.
	The Department uses PENSIM2 to model pensioners incomes under the single tier but there are too few cases where individuals would have claimed derived entitlement to basic state pension under the current system to make a robust assessment of the amount these individuals will receive in 2016/17.

Work Capability Assessment: Audio Recordings

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many and what proportion of work capability assessments have been audio-recorded since the facility was made available.

Mark Hoban: Since September 2011 Atos Healthcare have completed 2,056 audio recorded work capability assessments.
	During that period 1,446,515 face to face work capability assessments (for both ESA and IB reassessments) have been completed.
	Therefore, the proportion of recorded assessments is 0.14%.

Work Capability Assessment: Audio Recordings

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps his Department takes to inform people undertaking a work capability assessment of the facility to have an audio recording of the assessment.

Mark Hoban: Information for claimants about requesting an audio recording of their work capability assessment is available on the Atos Healthcare websites.
	DWP and Atos Healthcare are taking steps to amend their improve communications with claimants to provide more information about the recording facility and how to request a recorded assessment when their work capability assessment process commences.
	DWP's evaluation of audio recording continues—and the evaluation period has been extended until the end of the summer to enable the gathering of additional data. The Department will assess this evidence to see the impact of audio recording on the quality of assessments and to what extent claimants request the facility. These findings will inform ongoing policy development.

Work Programme

Iain McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people on the Work Programme have (a) received one-to-one support and (b) attended group sessions to date.

Mark Hoban: The data requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate costs.

Work Programme

Iain McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures his Department used to evaluate the performance success of companies delivering the Work Programme in 2012-13.

Mark Hoban: The prime measures of success are the proportions of participants in each contract area who secure sustained employment and leave benefit. There are various ways in which these proportions can be measured, for example in-year, by cohort or over the life of the programme, and the Department has been considering advice on the most appropriate and meaningful. Statistics covering referrals, attachments and job outcomes to March 2013 will be published on 27 June 2013.

Work Programme

Iain McKenzie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what amount of government funding was allocated to companies delivering the Work programme in (a) 2012-13 and (b) all previous years.

Mark Hoban: The total paid to Work programme providers in the UK is £377.9 million from the start of the programme through to 30th July 2012, i.e. the period covered by the first Statistical Release.
	Further information on spend up to the end of March 2013 is scheduled to be available to coincide with the next planned Statistical Release on 27 June 2013.

Secondary Education: Admissions

Robert Halfon: To ask the Secretary of State for Education what proportion of children in (a) England and (b) Harlow constituency secured places at (i) their first choice and (ii) one of their top three choices of secondary school in each year since 1997.

David Laws: The Department collects data from local authorities on how many families received an offer of a place at one of their preferred secondary schools, under the Information as to Provision of Education (England) Regulations 2008. This data was collected for the first time on National Offer Day, 3 March 2008, in relation to offers for entry into the 2008/09 academic year. The data has been collected, and published, annually since then. The table provided therefore gives figures from 2008 onwards.
	This data is collected at local authority level only so data for Harlow parliamentary constituency is not available. Figures for England and the local authority of Essex, which includes Harlow parliamentary constituency, are given as follows.
	
		
			 Applications and offers for entry to secondary schools in England and Essex local authority, academic years 2008/09 to 2013/14 
			  Essex LA England 
			  Percentage of children offered: 
			  First preference school One of top three preferences First preference school One of top three preferences 
			 2013 86.9 96.6 86.7 96.5 
			 2012 82.0 95.9 85.3 95.9 
			 2011 83.3 96.8 84.6 95.6 
			 2010 81.0 95.4 83.2 94.9 
			 2009 81.0 95.2 83.2 94.6 
			 2008 80.8 94.3 82.0 94.0 
			 Note: Data collected from local authorities on National Offers Day each year in early March. 
		
	
	The figures for each year were published in an annual Statistical First Release 'Secondary school applications and offers in England'. Those for the most recent three years can be found at:
	https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/department-for-education/series/statistics-school-applications
	Those for the years 2008 to 2010 can be found on the national archives website at:
	http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20130401151655/http://www.education.gov.uk/researchandstatistics/statistics/allstatistics?page=1